Is the Aiyima A80 the best for my needs?

[RPoitou]

Oh wow that's quite a big difference lol
1.3kg is way better! I have not yet gathered all the money I need to upgrade my setup, I might have enough next month but I'm not perfectly sure. If you haven't sold that amp I might get back to you

No rush, I probably won't make a serious attempt at selling it until next year.

 

[truth_soldier]

I'm definitely going to upgrade my speakers because even though my current speakers have a pretty high sentimental value I know that while sounding a lot better than the integrated speakers in my TV, they are probably far from the performance of new speakers. I did take a look on the used market and didn't find anything that seemed really good. I'm willing to spend 600€ for the entire setup (amp + speakers), I took a look at active speakers too because some people say that it's the best budget to sound quality ratio but since I need optical input, being able to control volume remotely and being able to turn off remotely or have an auto standby mode that drastically reduce the options available. I'm also worried about reliability, I will probably keep this setup for a long time and passive speaker seems to be the way to go for this.

I live near Le Mans I can drive about 50km max if you want to take a look at the offers on the used market near me. Like I said, I didn't find anything really interesting.

Thank your for the offer on the amplifier! Would you have any measurements or reliable review of it? It's a 2x50W, I worried it's a bit low to drive 8 Ohms speakers no?

Have a look at the SMSL D1 DAC, people are saying it's great sound for low cost (80 euros).
You can pair that with a decent quality low cost TPA3255 amp.
There are MANY of them and most of them even super cheap ones sound surprisingly good.

For example the BRU5 amp costs only about $30 and sounds fine esp given the price.
I mention that one only because I own it (the TPA3244 version not TPA3255)
I'm using via my PC and a $20 USB dongle DAC via RCA-inputs, so I know how it sounds... lovely sound considering only $50 total price.
But there are other brand TPA3255 amps more well known and reviewed for around 70 euros to 100 euros, as you probably know (eg Douk A5).

Keep in mind also that I have very large DIY loudspeakers with 96db/1watt sensitivity and a big titanium horn tweeter.
If my cheap $50 front end was bright or grainy (not smooth) or bad sounding, I would definitely hear it. The speakers would expose all the gremlins.
But it sounds very nice and smooth, surprisingly so, even if it's not the most "3D" soundstage/imaging.

So with the above your total cost for DAC + Amp would be from 110 to 150 euros and you can save money for upgrading your speakers, which is the most important thing to spend your budget on.

The SMSL D1 + Douk A5 I bet would make an awesome combo for about 160 euros.

I have the D1 on order so will know more personally/first-hand later. ;-) cheers.

 

[carsonpoland]

hi! ive bought A80 to replace my D03 which im using for few years but im not sure there is any noticeable improvement over D03 in sound therms. Im also having problems with sub output (AUX) - buzzing after A80 turn off. A80 is turning off with low volume - i cant listen music quietly. UVmeter/spectrum barely moves at low volumes. Remote looks worse than D03 remote. Im not sure ill keep A80

That's weird, did you reach out to Aiyima about this? Maybe your unit is faulty. What input are you using?

Turns out amp is ok, subwoofer cable was causing problems. A80 is not turning off with low volume - web radio was disconnecting after few min at night listening. A80 is going to stay with me.

 

[Nytrex]

Have a look at the SMSL D1 DAC, people are saying it's great sound for low cost (80 euros).
You can pair that with a decent quality low cost TPA3255 amp.
There are MANY of them and most of them even super cheap ones sound surprisingly good.

For example the BRU5 amp costs only about $30 and sounds fine esp given the price.
I mention that one only because I own it (the TPA3244 version not TPA3255)
I'm using via my PC and a $20 USB dongle DAC via RCA-inputs, so I know how it sounds... lovely sound considering only $50 total price.
But there are other brand TPA3255 amps more well known and reviewed for around 70 euros to 100 euros, as you probably know (eg Douk A5).

Keep in mind also that I have very large DIY loudspeakers with 96db/1watt sensitivity and a big titanium horn tweeter.
If my cheap $50 front end was bright or grainy (not smooth) or bad sounding, I would definitely hear it. The speakers would expose all the gremlins.
But it sounds very nice and smooth, surprisingly so, even if it's not the most "3D" soundstage/imaging.

So with the above your total cost for DAC + Amp would be from 110 to 150 euros and you can save money for upgrading your speakers, which is the most important thing to spend your budget on.

The SMSL D1 + Douk A5 I bet would make an awesome combo for about 160 euros.

I have the D1 on order so will know more personally/first-hand later. ;-) cheers.

Thanks a lot for these recommandations. I did take a look at separate DAC and Amp options. Unfortunately, since I want to plug it to my TV in my bedroom, I NEED to be able to remotely control everything (especially volume and turn on/off), I just can't get up from my bed to turn off everything when I'm already half asleep. There's almost no sperate DAC and Amp that have remote control and/or auto-standby mode so it's not really an option for me :/

 

[Nytrex]

Turns out amp is ok, subwoofer cable was causing problems. A80 is not turning off with low volume - web radio was disconnecting after few min at night listening. A80 is going to stay with me.

Thanks for letting me know, I was concerned since I only saw good reviews about the A80.

 

[truth_soldier]

Thanks a lot for these recommandations. I did take a look at separate DAC and Amp options. Unfortunately, since I want to plug it to my TV in my bedroom, I NEED to be able to remotely control everything (especially volume and turn on/off), I just can't get up from my bed to turn off everything when I'm already half asleep. There's almost no sperate DAC and Amp that have remote control and/or auto-standby mode so it's not really an option for me :/

I use a wireless mouse and keyboard so control playback and volume from my PC that way, esp since I'm almost always using the computer while listening. I never turn off my amp. It costs perhaps 2 euros per month in electricity. Not something I care about.
If I had a remote control I would I would prob stick it in a drawer because I would almost never use it.
But if that's not the way you normally use stuff, it's understandable.
I was going to go with a one-box integrated amp but then changed my mind when I thought it would give me more flexibility with system config and upgrading to have separates.

 

[rmcc]

Hi,
Like you, i'm trying to find a good, but affordable Class D amp.
Did you already choose yours? I'm also considering the A80, O'Noorus D3 Pro or maybe SMSL RAW-HA1. The problem with other brands like Topping, Fosi or 3e Audio is the complete lack of inputs and no remote....so it's a big headache to find out a amp with some features, that are importants for me.
The A80 has almost what i need, if a need to hear music from headphones, i have to settle with AptX HD, which it's not bad, although LDAC has higher bitrate.
I'm tending to buy the A80, almost 90% sure.
Comparing the dacs between O'noorus D3 Pro and Aiyima, the DAC on A80 is the same as on the wiim (ES9038Q2M) and on O'noorus is AK4493SEQ.
You can google to see the differnces

 

[Nytrex]

Hi,
Like you, i'm trying to find a good, but affordable Class D amp.
Did you already choose yours? I'm also considering the A80, O'Noorus D3 Pro or maybe SMSL RAW-HA1. The problem with other brands like Topping, Fosi or 3e Audio is the complete lack of inputs and no remote....so it's a big headache to find out a amp with some features, that are importants for me.
The A80 has almost what i need, if a need to hear music from headphones, i have to settle with AptX HD, which it's not bad, although LDAC has higher bitrate.
I'm tending to buy the A80, almost 90% sure.
Comparing the dacs between O'noorus D3 Pro and Aiyima, the DAC on A80 is the same as on the wiim (ES9038Q2M) and on O'noorus is AK4493SEQ.
You can google to see the differnces

I decided to go with an active speaker setup instead and I don't regret it, the sound is amazing.
However if I had to choose an amp for a passive setup, after all the research I made and the help I got from other people, I would have bought the D3 Pro.
There's 3 main reason for that:
1. Dedicated subwoofer out, it's nice to have the possibility to add a subwoofer later.
2. ARC Input, I use it on my current setup and it's a nice feature to have, it's the highest quality between optical and ARC, you can control everything with just one remote. Everything powers on automatically when powering on the TV.
3. Better Bluetooth Codecs (especially AptxX Lossless).

I would not buy the RAW-H1 one if I were you, there's a lot of load dependency and I think the ARC implementation is bad.
The A80 is a really good amp too, you can't go wrong choosing either (A80 or D3 Pro). The difference between the chips is so small that you won't be able to hear it so I wouldn't base my choice on that.
To choose between the A80 and D3 Pro I would look at two things: price difference and features.
If the D3 Pro is cheaper just get it, if the A80 is cheaper you need to decide if it's worth putting more money to have the features of the D3 Pro. If you won't need them just get the cheapest.

 

[rmcc]

I decided to go with an active speaker setup instead and I don't regret it, the sound is amazing.
However if I had to choose an amp for a passive setup, after all the research I made and the help I got from other people, I would have bought the D3 Pro.
There's 3 main reason for that:
1. Dedicated subwoofer out, it's nice to have the possibility to add a subwoofer later.
2. ARC Input, I use it on my current setup and it's a nice feature to have, it's the highest quality between optical and ARC, you can control everything with just one remote. Everything powers on automatically when powering on the TV.
3. Better Bluetooth Codecs (especially AptxX Lossless).

I would not buy the RAW-H1 one if I were you, there's a lot of load dependency and I think the ARC implementation is bad.
The A80 is a really good amp too, you can't go wrong choosing either (A80 or D3 Pro). The difference between the chips is so small that you won't be able to hear it so I wouldn't base my choice on that.
To choose between the A80 and D3 Pro I would look at two things: price difference and features.
If the D3 Pro is cheaper just get it, if the A80 is cheaper you need to decide if it's worth putting more money to have the features of the D3 Pro. If you won't need them just get the cheapest.

I think you did, very, very well.

I was about to buy an all-in-ome solution, the WiiM Amp Ultra. But after a lots of reading, a lot of people recommend buy it separate...and i understand why...you can keep the source and after some time you can change the amplification part, if you want, or the opposite...
The most important thing it's you being satisfied with your purchase.
About A80 vs D3 Pro, i can't see a complete review about the D3 Pro, so for now, i just gonna wait for it.

 

[Nytrex]

I think you did, very, very well.

I was about to buy an all-in-ome solution, the WiiM Amp Ultra. But after a lots of reading, a lot of people recommend buy it separate...and i understand why...you can keep the source and after some time you can change the amplification part, if you want, or the opposite...
The most important thing it's you being satisfied with your purchase.
About A80 vs D3 Pro, i can't see a complete review about the D3 Pro, so for now, i just gonna wait for it.

The complete review of the D3 Pro might never be done, we don't really know so be aware of that.
I think it all depends on your budget and your use case.
Some prefer flexibility and customisation so they go for separate components (player, dac, amp...) some prefer something easy to use and that simply works and go for for combo (dac+amp) or active speakers or all in ones speakers (like Kali MM6).
It's also very easy to get lost between all the options and things to consider especially when looking at this forum where everyone tells you something different. (Some say you need actives, other passive, separate or combo dac and amp, balances cables, dedicated players, room correction, subwoofer).
You must come down to the basics:
- What do you want now (and maybe later)
- What's most important for you (flexibility/ease of use)

And figure out what you be the best way to achieve that for you.
If you want you can tell me your budget and what you want to do with your setup so I could tell you what I would do. However you know best what your preferences are